Jackie Speier on Jim Jones, the Peoples Temple cult, and surviving the Jonestown massacre

[BeckyDem]

Forty years ago Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) was nearly killed in a savage attack while on a fact-finding mission into Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple cult. She told "Sunday Morning" about how that formative moment changed her:

In November 1978 I was an attorney on the staff of Congressman Leo Ryan, part of the mission he brought to Guyana to investigate Jim Jones, the wildly charismatic leader of the Peoples Temple.

We had received credible reports of his followers being abused and held against their will.

The compound was impressive. Members of Jonestown were certainly saying all the right things, no matter how rote. But someone slipped us a note asking for help. I felt my stomach turn into hard knots of terror, as we realized our worst fears about Jones and his followers were true – and we were in grave danger.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jackie-speier-on-surviving-the-jonestown-massacre-jim-jones-peoples-temple-cult/

[Girard442]

1. My sig line.

[BeckyDem]

2. Yes.

[Dave in VA]

3. I remember

all of it like it was yesterday.

When the phrase, "drink the kool aid" became a part of our daily vernacular.

[MosheFeingold]

11. I do, too

I had a moment of religious searching in the late 1960s, maybe early 70s and was encouraged to visit this church in San Fransisco, as it seemingly fit my politics.

About 10 minutes in, I could tell they were wackos and left.

I met Leo Ryan a number of times. He was a good man, very much concerned about cults, as his daughter was troubled and susceptible to that kind of movement.

[kimbutgar]

4. Cleaning out My late parents house I found a people's temple newsletter

My Dad who worked for the public housing authority had met him and thought he was creepy. He brought this newsletter home and it mentioned the move to Guyana. When everything went down and Jones got everyone to drink the poison my Dad found the newsletter and said he wasn’t surprised by what happened because jones had a cult like hold on his followers.


The orange maggot has a cult like hold now on the fox brainwashed repukes. If ordered by the orange maggot will his supporters go out and shoot liberals? Will our Military sit back and let that happen is my question?

[BeckyDem]

6. Its interesting to hear accounts like yours, most people don't get sucked in.

The cult like persona around Trump was stunning when he said he could shoot someone and it wouldn't matter to his base.

Its been downhill ever since imo.

[appalachiablue]

8. Your dad had good sense, thanks for relaying this story.

Those poor people, I feel sorry for most & remember the tragedy in the news like yesterday. Such evil and power over people is incredible.

[libdem4life]

5. Jackei Speier...had not clue...what a story. I remember as if it were yesterday.

It gives her commitment a special meaning.

[BeckyDem]

7. She is awesome.

[AwakeAtLast]

9. I saw that segment this morning.

She was incredible!

[dalton99a]

10. Never underestimate the power of a cult leader

[lagomorph777]

12. "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

Ironically chilling words in that last photo of the carnage.

[displacedtexan]

13. And DiFi stuck her finger in a bullet hole to try to stop the bleeding...

...when Milk was dying in her arms.

California women are true badasses. Thank the stars!